Galway City Council has welcomed the announcement by Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD, of €3.25m in additional Government support to progress the long-awaited Galway Regional Aquatic Project at Knocknacarra.
The proposed allocation will close the remaining funding gap identified by Galway City Council, enabling the project to move toward the construction phase — subject to completion of due diligence, final business case approval and tender documentation.
The project represents one of the most significant regional sports infrastructure investments proposed for the west of Ireland, delivering a competition-standard 35m pool, adjustable-depth floor, sports hall, gym, spectator facilities, sauna and steam room, and a range of community and public spaces, alongside upgraded cycling and pedestrian access routes.
Minister Patrick O’Donovan said this is a transformational project for Galway and for the wider West of Ireland. Modern, competition-standard aquatic facilities of this scale have been needed for many years, and this week’s announcement is a major step towards making them a reality. The proposed additional €3.25 million will help bridge the final funding gap and move the project closer to construction.
“This investment is about far more than elite sport. It is about children learning to swim, clubs growing, and communities having access to high-quality facilities that support healthier, more active lives. It also reflects the Government’s commitment to ensuring communities across the country have access to modern sports infrastructure that supports participation at every level.”
Helen Kilroy, Director of Finance, Galway City Council, said this proposed additional funding is a hugely welcome and important step in progressing the Galway Regional Aquatic Project. It reflects strong collaboration between Galway City Council and Government and brings the project significantly closer to delivery.
“There has long been a clear need for a state-of-the-art aquatic and sports facility in Galway to serve our growing population, sports clubs and schools. The project will be a transformative addition to the regions sports infrastructure and sends a positive message about the importance of health and wellbeing in our city.”
The development includes:
35m x 25m competition-standard swimming pool
Adjustable-depth pool floor
Sports hall and gym facilities
Spectator area
Sauna and steam room
Coffee dock and community spaces
Site landscaping and upgraded access routes
Funding Position
Original LSSIF allocation (2018 ): €8m
Updated total project cost: €19–€20m
Galway City Council & philanthropic contributions: €8.75m
Remaining gap identified: €3.25m
Additional Government support proposed: €3.25m
The Department of Culture, Communications and Sport is examining how this support can be managed within the wider Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF ) programme.
The project remains subject to completion of due diligence; final business case; tender documentation; and egal and project execution requirements.
The news was welcomed by local Fine Gael councillor Cliodagh Higgins who said this is extremely positive news for Knocknacarra and the wider Galway community.
“The addition of further swimming and recreational facilities will help meet growing demand locally and provide additional opportunities for families, schools, sports clubs and swimmers of all ages”.
Cllr. Higgins thanked Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Patrick O’Donovan, together with public representatives Senator Seán Kyne and Minister Hildegarde Naughton, for their continued engagement and work in helping secure these additional funds.
“This investment reflects the Government’s commitment to supporting growing communities and delivering much needed sporting and recreational infrastructure. Knocknacarra is one of the fastest growing communities in the country, yet for many years local residents have rightly pointed to the lack of amenities and community infrastructure to match that growth.
“I have continually raised the need for investment in facilities that support young people, families and local clubs, and this funding is an important step forward in addressing those needs. Facilities like this are about far more than sport, they are about quality of life, health and wellbeing, social connection and creating communities where people can thrive” she said, adding that she is also very encouraged to see planning proposals for the Millers Lane and Kingston lands now being considered by An Coimisiún Pleanála, with plans to deliver state of the art community pitches and clubhouses on these lands.
“I have strongly supported the progression of these projects, as together they represent the type of long term investment that Knocknacarra and Galway City West have needed for many years. The delivery of these facilities would make a transformative difference to the area and help ensure that community infrastructure finally begins to keep pace with the scale of population growth across the west of the city,” she concluded.
